We get it — family law is defined by conflict. But going to court and asking a judge to enter an order is not the only way to resolve your divorce and/or family law dispute. In fact, there are several less contentious and costly options to move forward to a brighter future:
Mediation is a confidential process designed to assist parties in reaching your own agreements and avoiding contested litigation — which can be expensive, stressful, and unpredictable.
The mediator is typically an attorney or mental health professional who is trained to help the parties resolve their conflict.
Mediation is an ideal forum to resolve many family law disputes because you have control over the outcome. This is especially true in disputes involving children because the parties are in a better position than a judge to know what is in their child’s best interests.
We will work with you prior to mediation to develop a comprehensive strategy that aligns with your goals and objectives. We then help you prepare a confidential mediation statement setting forth the issues you would like to address and your positions. This statement is provided to the mediator and helps define the scope of the mediation, reducing unnecessary conflict and expense.
We attend the mediation with you and counsel you in settlement negotiations. If you and the opposing party reach an agreement, we can draft a stipulation (settlement) agreement for you and file it with the Court.
Arbitration – An arbitrator is a neutral, third party — typically an attorney or a retired judge — hired by the parties to resolve specific issues in their case, including parenting time, decision-making, and child support. In an arbitration, the arbitrator will listen to both parties, receive evidence, and issue a written decision which is submitted to the Court for approval. In Colorado, both parties must agree to appoint an arbitrator.
Parenting Coordinator (PC) – A PC is a neutral, third party appointed by the Court to assist the parties in the resolution of disputes concerning parenting time and decision-making. The authority of a PC is generally limited to the implementation of the court-ordered parenting plan.
Parenting-Coordinator/Decision-Maker (PC/DM) – A PC/DM is like a PC but has binding decision-making authority to resolve specific disputes between the parties concerning the implementation or clarification of existing parenting time orders. Because a PC/DM has decision-making authority, both parties must agree to appoint a PC/DM.
Let’s schedule an appointment to discuss which of these alternative dispute resolution procedures make sense for you.